Collin Raye concert gives back to another generation

Published: Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 04:50 PM.

The youth activities are out-of-pocket expenses for families, but, Griswold said, they “try to offset the expenses for kids.”

Griswold, 31, grew up in South Carolina and has been in youth ministry for about 10 years, moving to Panama City nearly two years ago to work at St. John. She has been overwhelmed with the responses from the youth in the ministry, who range from sixth- to 12-graders.

“It’s really great to hear them own their faith as adults, to have a 14- or 15-year-old choosing faith not because parents drove you to church. They say it gives them courage to make decisions in other areas of life that are harder,” Griswold said. “Kids have to deal with a lot of things, from bullying to drugs. If they have experiences of being around other like-minded teens they can draw from it when they are at home and in other environments.”

The youth program has grown to include about 25 youth who regularly attend each week.

“We see it as an investment in our church and community,” she said. “If we can give them opportunities to grow as Christians and people in the community, we are investing in our kids, especially in the summertime when they are not in school. It benefits us all when we are getting a good foundation.”

PANAMA CITY — Spend An Evening with Collin Raye on May 7 at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church to be inspired by stories and songs of faith.

“It’s a Christian concert — not country like he usually does,” said Tonya Thompson, office manager for St. John Catholic Church & School. “It will be a low-key acoustical type show.”

Raye will be joined by his piano player, Randy Harper, for the intimate concert in the sanctuary at St. John, 1008 Fortune Ave.

“I love country music and it’s cool to see a musician who has his faith influence a genre he already had made his mark on. It’s inspiring,” said Alison Griswold, director of youth ministry at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church. “I think music is so important. We have examples of worshipping God in the Old Testament in Psalms. We do a lot of music in worship. Music just resonates with everybody. It sticks in our heads sometimes when plain words don’t.”

Raye first became famous with the hit “Love, Me” in 1991. His success continued throughout the ’90s with more than 8 million records sold. Other well-known songs include “On the Verge,” “One Boy, One Girl,” “What the Heart Wants,” “Every Second,” “That Was a River,” “Anyone Else” and “If I were You.” He has had 24 top 10 records, 16 No. 1 hits and has been nominated for male vocalist of the year 10 times.

Raye still performs the country music that made him famous, but he has added Christian and Catholic concerts to his tours.

“He is a Christian and converted to Catholicism in his early 20s,” Thompson said.

In 2011, Raye released his first inspirational album, “His Love Remains,” which reached No. 1 on Amazon for inspirational and religious music. The 15 songs range from “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” with Andrea Thomas to “Amazing Grace.”

Raye released his autobiography, “A Voice Undefeated,” this month, and he will be signing copies of his new book on May 7.

“We should be selling books after the show,” said Thompson, who plans to have about 40 copies of the book available to buy at the church.

Guests also can bring their own copies of his book, which can be purchased beforehand at St. Dominic Books and Gifts, 3308 E. 15th St.

Raye, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., reaches back into his childhood in Arkansas and Texas for his autobiography. The book covers his time with the Wray Brothers Band in Oregon and Reno through his musical journey. But “A Voice Undefeated,” also deals with Raye’s professional and personal struggles and trials he has endured and how he ultimately overcame them. The book is described as “a story of faith, of struggle, of suffering, of profound love, and ultimately of triumph in the midst of tragedy.”

The book also includes a DVD of a personal interview and three songs by Raye, “Undefeated,” “Give Me Jesus” and “She’s With Me,” which was written about his granddaughter Haley in 2009 when she was still alive.

In 2010, Raye’s 9-year-old granddaughter, Haley, died from an undiagnosed neurological disease, which led him to establish the Haley Bell Blessed Chair Foundation to provide wheelchairs to families with special needs children.

“My precious granddaughter Haley inspired me to write the song, ‘She’s With Me,’” Raye posted Thursday on his Facebook page (Facebook.com/collinraye). “I know my Haley is a saint in up in heaven with our Lord.”

Seating for the concert is limited, so the community is advised to purchase tickets in advance.

“This church is a small church, only holds 400 people,” said Thompson, who has been in touch with Raye since he did a benefit concert for St. John Catholic School in March 2012 at the Marina Civic Center.

Proceeds from next month’s Christian concert at the church will benefit the St. John The Evangelist Youth Ministry.

“It helps fund the outings and trips students take,” Joan Walker, secretary for St. John The Evangelist.

Summer Camp at Covecrest in Georgia is just one of the many trips the church’s youth take.

“My faith was really influenced by my youth ministry growing up,” Griswold said. “It’s really a joy to be able to give back to another generation of Catholics. “We have a lot of opportunities for the kids to participate in camps, conferences, retreats. It’s always great to provide assistance to kids who wouldn’t be able to go otherwise.”

The youth activities are out-of-pocket expenses for families, but, Griswold said, they “try to offset the expenses for kids.”

Griswold, 31, grew up in South Carolina and has been in youth ministry for about 10 years, moving to Panama City nearly two years ago to work at St. John. She has been overwhelmed with the responses from the youth in the ministry, who range from sixth- to 12-graders.

“It’s really great to hear them own their faith as adults, to have a 14- or 15-year-old choosing faith not because parents drove you to church. They say it gives them courage to make decisions in other areas of life that are harder,” Griswold said. “Kids have to deal with a lot of things, from bullying to drugs. If they have experiences of being around other like-minded teens they can draw from it when they are at home and in other environments.”

The youth program has grown to include about 25 youth who regularly attend each week.

“We see it as an investment in our church and community,” she said. “If we can give them opportunities to grow as Christians and people in the community, we are investing in our kids, especially in the summertime when they are not in school. It benefits us all when we are getting a good foundation.”

AN EVENING WITH COLLIN RAYE

What: Christian concert, “A Voice Undefeated” book signing

When: 7-8:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 7

Where: St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, 1008 Fortune Ave., Panama City

Advance tickets: $10 (all proceeds go to the St. John The Evangelist Youth Ministry); available at St. John The Evangelist after 7:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sunday Mass, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the week at the parish office or during Friday Fest on May 2 in downtown Panama City

St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church has a Saturday Vigil at 5 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., Daily Mass at 8:15 a.m. Monday through Thursday and first Friday; Saturday Confession at 3:30 p.m.

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